Shoulder Tendonitis: Heal Your Rotator Cuff Faster With PRP Therapy

After spine and knee problems, shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal condition. In many cases, the pain arises from shoulder tendonitis, which does more than affect your shoulder.

Shoulder tendonitis causes arm pain, weakness, and limited movement. Without prompt treatment, you can develop chronic and debilitating tendon problems.

Shoulder tendons are often slow to heal. That’s why Alliance Spine and Pain Centers experts specialize in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, a natural, regenerative treatment that accelerates healing and promotes optimal recovery.

About shoulder tendonitis

Shoulder tendonitis (inflamed tendons) could develop in the biceps tendon connecting the biceps muscle in your arm to the shoulder. However, tendonitis is more common in one or more rotator cuff tendons.

The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and their tendons, which attach the muscles to the upper arm bone. These muscles stabilize the arm bone in the shoulder joint. They’re also responsible for moving your arm, so they bear significant daily stress.

You may have acute shoulder tendonitis. This type appears suddenly and is frequently caused by overhead activities and sports involving throwing a ball.

By comparison, chronic shoulder tendonitis develops gradually due to overuse. The tendon develops tiny tears and inflammation as you repeatedly perform the same arm movements. Degenerative conditions like arthritis can also lead to tendonitis.

Signs of shoulder tendonitis include:

• Shoulder and upper arm pain
• Shoulder and arm weakness
• Pain when raising or lowering your arm
• Limited arm movement
• Pain when reaching behind your back
• Clicking or popping when raising your arm

Tendonitis weakens the tissues, increasing the risk of a tendon rupture.

How PRP therapy can improve tendonitis

Platelets naturally live in your bloodstream. When you’re injured, they immediately go to the area and release growth factors. 

Growth factors are specialized proteins that communicate with the cells in the damaged tissues and trigger healing activities, such as:

• Regulating inflammation
• Promoting new cell growth
• Producing new blood vessels
• Rebuilding damaged nerves
• Preventing degeneration of healthy tissues

Platelets also help fight pathogens like bacteria and recruit stem cells to the area. Stem cells regenerate the new cells needed to repair the tendon.

Who qualifies for PRP therapy?

Anyone with shoulder tendonitis may qualify for PRP therapy, but it isn’t usually the first line of treatment. We begin with more conservative options like rest or immobilization, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections.

We typically recommend PRP if your tendonitis doesn’t respond to standard treatment. However, we may initiate PRP therapy earlier if you can’t have corticosteroid injections or the tendon is too slow to heal.

Shoulder tendonitis is often slow to heal because the tendons have a poor blood supply. The lack of blood means the tendons can’t get enough oxygen, nutrients, platelets, and stem cells to support healing.

Slow healing can lead to complications such as:

• Persistent tendon weakness
• Excessive scar formation
• Rotator cuff muscle wasting
• Chronic tendon pain and inflammation (tendinosis)

Chronic diseases like diabetes, thyroid disorders, and autoimmune disorders can also hinder healing by prolonging inflammation and impairing collagen production.

What to expect during PRP therapy

We produce PRP in the office by drawing a sample of your blood and using a centrifuge to separate the platelets and plasma from the other blood cells. After collecting the platelets, we concentrate them to create a therapeutic dose.

Finally, we mix the concentrated platelets with some plasma (the liquid part of your blood) and inject it into your shoulder. Using real-time imaging, we guide the needle to the injured tendon, ensuring the PRP reaches the area where it’s needed.  

After the PRP injection, we put your arm in a sling to immobilize your shoulder. Preventing shoulder and arm movement gives the platelets time to work and promotes healing. 

We also ask you to rest and avoid strenuous activities. After about two weeks, you start physical therapy. We also give you additional personalized self-care instructions to support healing.

Learn more about PRP for shoulder tendonitis

If you have signs of shoulder tendonitis or you’re struggling with ongoing pain because the shoulder is taking too long to heal, don’t wait to schedule an appointment to learn if you’re a good candidate for PRP therapy.

Call Alliance Spine and Pain Centers today or use the online form to request an appointment.